Older Pedestrians Pay a Higher Price in Car Crashes

Older pedestrians (65+) are not more likely to be injured in crashes than younger people, but they are far more likely to die due to frailty, slower perception and reaction, and greater outdoor exposure. The rise of larger vehicles, e-bikes, and alcohol in crashes compounds risk. Experts urge system-wide safety upgrades—such as better street design, lighting, signal timing, and lower speeds—guided by Vision Zero to better protect aging pedestrians.